Weihai, China: Defending champions Qatar produced a determined performance to beat Iran 2-0 (20-14, 16-10) in the semi-finals of the Asian Beach Handball Championship in Weihai, China, yesterday.
The Iranians fought all the way but the vastly experienced Qataris were in a class all their own as they set up a title clash with Oman, who accounted for Vietnam 2-0 (13-2, 18-16) in the other semi.
The winners and runners-up will book their spots in 2020 IHF Men’s Beach Handball Championships in Italy, while only the champions will qualify to ANOC World Beach Games 2019 to be held in Doha in October.
Qatar were crowned champions of the Asian Championship in Pattaya in 2017, after defeating Oman in the final 2-0.
Qatar’s Beach Handball Team aspires to win the title for a fifth time, after winning it in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.
The final will be played tomorrow, with Iran and Vietnam clashing for the third place.